Improving Law Enforcement Investigations in Rural Gray County.

The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) solicits applications for initiatives which assist law enforcement in rural states and rural areas. The program helps rural states and rural areas to prevent and combat crime, especially drug-related crime, and provides for national support efforts, including training and technical assistance programs strategically targeted to address rural needs.

The Assistance to Rural Law Enforcement to Combat Crime and Drugs Program, administered by BJA, helps rural states and rural areas prevent and combat crime, especially drug-related crime, and provides for national support efforts, including training and technical assistance programs strategically targeted to address rural needs. In addition, priority consideration will be given to local law enforcement agencies in rural areas where the unit of local government is not eligible to receive a direct allocation from the Recovery Act Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program or received a direct allocation that was $50,000 or less. Applicants were invited to submit a proposal under any one of the following categories to: (1) combat rural crime; (2) improve rural law enforcement investigations; (3) enhance rural detention and jail operations; (4) facilitate rural justice information sharing; or (5) develop a national training and technical assistance program.

Under Category 1, Gray County will utilize its award to implement crime prevention efforts within the county and address drug-related crimes, especially methamphetamine manufacturing. Grant funds will be used to hire an additional Gray County Sheriff's Office deputy and equip the deputy with necessary law enforcement equipment, such as a patrol vehicle, weapons, and protective gear and supplies.

The county's goals are to: enhance efforts to prevent and reduce crime, especially drug-related crime by increasing patrols in the more inaccessible parts of the county, by obtaining four-wheel drive vehicles suited for rough terrain and road conditions, increasing patrol and enforcement activity with the creation of one new deputy sheriff position, and increasing the capability of deputies to deal with drug activity, especially clandestine meth labs in rural areas; (2) organize and maintain an intelligence network among agency deputies and neighboring jurisdictions by: establishing a system of regular meetings with neighboring agencies to discuss intelligence gathered on suspects, locations, and illegal activities and establishing a system to routinely disseminate information electronically; and (3) identify and initiate interdiction programs on rural roads and highways known to be used for drug trafficking.

CA/CF